Guard cap



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. R. TAYLOR GUARD CAP Filed Nov. 7, 1934 L/fH//vr Feb.4, 1936.

H. R. TAYLQR Feb. 4,- 1936.

GUARD CAP 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Nov. 7, 1934 Patented Feb. 4, 1936UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a cap designed to prevent unauthorizedtampering with valves.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cap 'which can readily beplaced in position so as to surround the valve to be protected, it beingimpossible to remove the cap without the use of a proper key.

A further object is to provide a cap which will prevent tampering withthe valve and with the lock used in connection with the cap.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which Will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of. the invention hasbeen shown,

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the drip cap locked in position,it being also shown, by broken lines, in one of its positions whilebeing applied.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5, Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, A designates ariser surrounded by a pipe or casing B and to the upper end of thisriser is connected a reducing nipple C on which is mounted the Valve Dto be protected.

Mounted on the pipe B is a disk I which is joined to the pipe by weldingit as shown at 2. 'Ihis disk has a central opening 3 through which theupper portion of the nipple C extends. 'Ihe disk is provided adjacentits margin with an upstanding hook 4 having a laterally extended bill 5as shown particularly in Figure 5 and formed in the disk adjacent itsmargin at a point diametrically opposite hook 4 is an opening 6.Surrounding the opening is a protecting flange 'I welded or otherwiseattached to the disk I and depending therefrom, this guard or protectingflange I being preferably substantially oblong as shown particularly inFigure 3.

To the pipe B is welded or otherwise fixedly connected a segmentalshield 8 formed of an arcuate plate which embraces pipe B and extendsthrough an arc of more than as will be noted by referring to Figure 4.This shield is preferably inclined upwardly from the pipe B and itsouter arcuate edge is substantially in line with the correspondingportion of the edge of disk I.

The cap used in connection with the parts thus far described comprises ametal cylinder 9 closed at the top as shown at IIl and having aninternal diameter slightly greater than the diameter of disk I.Extending inwardly from this cap is a retaining pin I I While extendinginwardly from the cap at a point diametrically opposite this pin is alug I2 having a downwardly extending finger I3 provided with an openingI4. This finger is of such size as to be insertable readily through theopening 6 when brought to position thereabove.

Supporting pins I5 similar to the pin I I can be extended inwardly fromthe cap 9 at points between said pin II and the lug I2 and it is to beunderstood that all of these pins as well as the lug occupysubstantially the same plane.

A handle II can be extended outwardly from the lower portion of the cap.

In practice the cap is placed over the Valve D and lowered so as toposition disk I therein in contact with pin II and the lower end offinger I3. The cap is then rotated until the bill 5 of hook 4 passesover pin II as shown in Figures 1 and 5. At that time linger I3 willarrive above the opening 6 and will drop thereinto so that disk I willsupport the weight of cap 9 through contact of lug I2 and pins II and I5with the upper surface thereof. When the cap is thus located the guardor shield 8 will be positioned beneath finger I3 so that direct accessto said iinger is prevented. A lock, Which can be in the form of apadlock I 6, is then held in the hand of the user who reaches upwardlyunder the cap through the space at the left of the shield 8 in Figure 1and thence around pipe B until the shackle of the lock is brought intoengagement with the apertured finger I3. The padlock is then closed andthe cap obviously is securely fastened. Only by the use of a proper keyinserted up into the cap in the same manner as heretofore described, canthe cap be unfastened. Convenient access to the lock is prevented by theshield B.

After the lock has been unfastened and detached from the finger I3, thecap can be tilted by means of handle Il as shown by broken lines inFigure 1 so as to withdraw the finger from opening 6. While thussupported the cap can then be turned to disengage bill 5 from pin IIwhereupon it is possible to remove the cap and obtain access to thevalve.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a valve, a riser leading thereto, and a pipesurrounding the riser, of a disk joined to said pipe, said disk havingan opening therein, a hook upon the disk, an arcuate shield xedly joinedto the pipe and located beneath the opening, a cap movable into positionaround the disk and shield, separate means carried by the cap forengaging the disk to support the cap, there being a linger dependingfrom one of said means, said cap being rotatable re1- ative to the diskto position one of said means in engagement with the hook and to bringthe finger into the opening, a guard depending from the disk andextending around the opening to house the end of the finger, and aremovable lock insertable into the guard for engagement with the fingerabove the shield, said lock being suspended within and surrounded andprotected by the cap.

2. The combination with a riser, a pipe extending therearound, and avalve carried by the riser, of a disk xedly connected to the pipe belowthe valve, a shield extending partly around and joined to the pipe belowthe disk, a cap movable to position around the disk and shield,cooperating means upon the cap and disk for bringing said cap and diskinto interengagement when the cap is rotated relative to the disk, lockengaging means carried by the cap and cooperating with the disk forfastening the cap against removal from the disk, said means beingpositioned above the shield, and a removable lock insertable up- Wardlyinto the cap between the shield and disk for engagement with the lockengaging means, thereby to be surrounded and protected by the cap andshield.

HENRY RAY TAYLOR.

